Ask Us Anything About GMOs!

If livestock eat genetically modified grain, will there be GMOs in my meat? -- Submitted as part of GMO Answers' Top Consumer Questions Survey --

Question Submitted By: Community Manager from San Francisco, CA ** Questions submitted to GMO Answers appear as written at the time of submission.
Questions are reviewed to ensure they conform with our house rules, but are never edited or altered by GMO Answers.

Genetically engineered crops are digested by animals in the same way as conventional crops. Numerous scientific studies have examined the digestive fate of genetically engineered DNA and protein introduced intro genetically engineered feed (see the Federation of Animal Science Societies Communications website for a comprehensive listing.) Genetically engineered DNA, or the novel proteins encoded therein, have never been detected in the milk, meat or eggs derived from animals fed genetically engineered feedstuffs.

Nutrients in meat, milk and eggs from livestock fed genetically engineered feeds have been found to be the same as the nutrients from livestock fed conventional feeds. The metabolic processes involved in digestion, absorption and the use of feed proteins by livestock species make it very unlikely for a protein of any plant gene to be found intact in food of animal origin, and none have been detected.

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam is an Animal Genomics and Biotechnology Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. Her publicly-funded research and outreach program focuses on the use of animal genomics and biotechnology in livestock production systems. Her current research projects include the development of genomic approaches to select for cattle that are less susceptible to disease, and applied uses of DNA-based information on commercial beef cattle operations. She also has a keen interest in making publicly-accessible educational materials and uses a variety of media to inform general public audiences about science and technology. She has provided a credentialed voice on some controversial topics including cloning and genetically engineered animals. She earned her B.S. from the University of Melbourne in Australia, and both her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees were earned from the University of California, Davis, in animal science and genetics, respectively.